PEÑARRUBIA, Abra (PIA) — More than 500 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in the province of Abra benefited from the three-day ‘Parokya ng OWWA-Panagdanggay Ti Umili’ program.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Cordillera Administrative Region (OWWA-CAR) and partner agencies brought government services in the towns of Dolores, San Quintin, and Peñarrubia to inform the people about the programs and services offered by the national government to OFWs to empower them to protect their rights, and to avail benefits.
“Daytoy nga activity tayo is a venue where we deliver the programs and services of OWWA closer to our OFWs and their families. We are here in Abra which has the second highest number of OFWs in the Cordillera, so we can bring the different scholarships, livelihood, and insurance benefits and medical assistance to our OFWs and their families,” OWWA-CAR Director Martel R. Dasayon said.
“Haan lang nga information dissemination but more so, they can immediately avail of the programs and services. We are trying to have the widest reach of OFWs, especially in the information dissemination, and this activity is to supplement the information dissemination of OWWA,” he shared.
Through partnerships with other government agencies and non-government organizations, the activity also provided free medical and legal consultations, dental services and grooming services to OFWs and their families. Family food packs were also distributed to the participants.
The OWWA AYOS (At Your Service) truck was also available to help deliver the agency’s programs and services to the stakeholders. This is a mobile command center equipped to offer a variety of services, and with high-speed internet to stay connected.
Blessy Castillo from barangay Calumbaya, Dolores, said that although she is an OFW for ten years now, she learned a lot about the different programs of OWWA that benefit OFWs and their families.
“Daytoy programa nga impan da impaay ditoy munisipyo mi ket dakkel met ti naipaay na kadakami nga nailawlawag amin nga banag nga masapul mi nga maamuwan nga OFW,” she said.
She was also able to avail of the different services of OWWA.
Castillo encouraged her fellow OFWs to participate and learn more about the government programs that promote the interests and protect the welfare of overseas workers.
The mayors of the three beneficiary municipalities expressed gratitude to OWWA’s outreach efforts.
Dasayon said the “Parokya ng OWWA -Panagdanggay Ti Umili” exemplifies OWWA’s commitment to supporting OFWs and their families for their invaluable contributions to the nation. (JJPM-PIA Abra)
